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'Can't believe it': Cricket world stunned by Test 'carnage'

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Matt Henry celebrates during his seven-wicket haul for New Zealand against South Africa.
Matt Henry's seven-wicket haul saw New Zealand clean up South Africa for just 95 runs in the first innings. Pic: Getty

An inspired spell of bowling from recalled New Zealand quick Matt Henry has consigned South Africa to an embarrassing 80-year first in the opening Test match in Christchurch.

Playing in his first Test in eight months because Trent Boult is away on paternity leave, Henry took career-best figures of 7-23 as the hosts skittled the Proteas for just 95 runs in their first innings.

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Henry celebrated his return by registering the joint third-best Test figures ever by a New Zealand bowler, as the visitors were all out inside two sessions on the opening day.

The South Africans had not previously been bowled out for less than 100 runs in the first innings of a Test match since 1932.

"Great to do it in front of my home fans, friends and family," Henry said at the innings break.

"It's not always going to go in your favour when you play the odd game here and there.

"When you woke up and saw the overheads here at Hagley, you'd hope you're bowling first."

Cricket world stunned by Test match 'carnage'

Henry and his bowling teammates put South Africa to the sword in the opening session after Tom Latham won the toss and elected to field.

The visitors were 4-44 by lunch after their top-order had no answer to the relentless New Zealand attack.

Henry and fellow pacemen Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson extracted considerable movement in the air and bounce off the pitch, hitting their line and length repeatedly and earning ample reward for their efforts.

The first four wickets were caught by the wicketkeeper or the slips cordon.

The Kiwi quick completed his astonishing seven-wicket haul after removing Glenton Stuurman for a duck, before Neil Wagner cleaned up Duanne Olivier to complete the Proteas' misery.

The extraordinary scenes left the cricket world in a state of shock.

Henry drew first blood when he dismissed touring captain Dean Elgar for four and went on to dismiss Aiden Markram (15) and Rassie van der Dussen (eight).

Jamieson chipped in with the wicket of Sarel Erwee (10), while Southee bowled well to claim his only scalp in Temba Bavuma for seven.

Zubayr Hamza made 25 and Kyle Verreynne scored 18 but lack of partnerships hurt South Africa.

Henry dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Stuurman off successive deliveries but his wayward hat-trick delivery went for four byes.

Seen here, New Zealand's Matt Henry acknowledges fans after taking seven wickets on day one of the first Test against South Africa.
New Zealand's Matt Henry acknowledges fans after taking seven wickets on day one of the first Test against South Africa in Christchurch. Pic: Getty

Opener Tom Latham is leading the Black Caps in the absence of Kane Williamson as he recovers from an elbow injury.

South Africa are without Keegan Petersen after the right-handed batter contracted COVID-19.

with AAP

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